Kentucky Country Day 20 Raceland 16 (1A State Championship)

[Bac2369]

The Raceland Rams are heading back to Kroger Field for the 4th time in 4 years. The Raceland Rams are hoping 2025 is when they will finally get that so elusive first championship. The Rams got here by avenging its only loss of the season to powerhouse Pikeville, who won the regular season matchup 35-27.  The Rams haven’t changed their philosophy much and that is running the ball. The Rams running game has surpassed well over 3,000 yards on the ground this season and close to 50 touchdowns. This three headed monster of a running game is headlined by Junior Landen Stiltner who has well over 1,300 yards on the season. Senior Shannon Marushi has racked up over 700 yards on the ground, and Junior Jonah Arnett has close to 600 yards on the ground. This trio has accounted for 2,600 of that 3000 yards. The Rams haven’t only been been just using the running game, they have thrown the rock quite well this season as well. They have thrown for over 1,800 yards and had over 25 touchdowns on the season from the passing game. The Raceland defense has forced close to 20 turnovers on the season via interceptions and fumbles. This defense is headlined by Senior Landyn Goodall, and leading tackler Junior Jackson King. These two have accounted for over 140 tackles on the season.  This Rams defense has been stout all season. 
 

The Kentucky Country Day Bearcats are heading back to the 1A State Championship. The teams last appearance came in 2020. They lost to the Paintsville Tigers that season 38-7. The Bearcats will be looking to get its first title in school history of 11 man football. The Bearcats won the 8-man State Championship in 2002, then in 2003 switched over to traditional football with 11 man playing.  The Kentucky Country Day offense has been ground and pound all season racking up over 3,000 yards on the ground and close to 50 touchdowns on the season. The Bearcats passing game as close to or right at 900 yards on the season from Senior Caden Long. He has accounted for over 200 yards as well on the ground. This Bearcats rushing attack is headlined by Senior workhorse Parker Rudolph. He has accounted for right at 1000 yards on the season and 15 touchdowns. Fellow Senior Tyler Wilson has put up strong numbers as well via the running game and passing game. He has amassed close to 1,200 yards on the season and over 20 touchdowns. You might as well call this kid the Swiss Army knife because he is doing everything he can on the offense. The Kentucky Country Day defense hasn’t been to shabby itself. The Bearcats have over 25 takeaways on the season from interception or fumbles. The Bearcats secondary has over 10 plus interceptions on the season. This defense is lead by Seniors Bowen Johnson, Rocco Huffman, Maclean Cantley. They have accounted for over 250 of the over 700 tackles on the season. The Bearcats also have a huge weapon in the kicking game with long field goal specialist Filip Popa who is 9/10 on the season from anywhere except PATs. The kid had a 40 plus yarder to beat Sayre in the first game of the season. He could once again be key factor in deciding the game. 
 

Who wins the Class 1A State Championship?

[theguru]

Give me the Rams!

[Bac2369]

1 minute ago, theguru said:

Give me the Rams!

Ditto for me. 

[Bac2369]

Another Class 1A Championship where we will have a team winning their first title. Got to love it. 

[Breds82]

I’m going with Raceland. Their running game is impressive and that’s what wins playoffs games.

[TrendingNorth]

I’m rooting for the rams. A lot of people in central Kentucky think they are the buffalo bills of 1A football. I think they prove them wrong this time around.

Rams 27

KCD 13

[Ram]

"It's very difficulty to beat a great team twice".  Both of these teams have proven that quote to be correct.

 The Rams' only loss came at the hands of Pikeville, they avenged that loss by beating the Panthers in the semi-finals.  

Country Day's only loss came at the hands of Campbellsville, and they avenged that loss in the semi-finals.  

Both of these teams have proven they deserve to be right where they are.  Hopefully, a group of seniors that have ended their season at Kroger Field every year of their high school career will draw from that experience and secure their well deserved State Championship.  GO RAMS.  

[Ram]

For the record, I have put my bridesmaid dress in storage.  So, I expect this day to be all about the Rams this time.  

Edited November 29 by Ram

[16thBBall Fan]

I think the Rams get it this year. This marks for their seniors their 4th trip and they will go out this time on top.

[hrcarrier]

I think that Raceland gets their championship. 

[Purple88]

I have nothing against KCD and they have had a great season, but pulling for the Rams to get their first championship!  Good luck!

[Builder1214]

I think this is the year for Raceland. KCD will be prepared and ready. Raceland will need to be disciplined on Defense, but I am not sure KCD can score enough to beat Raceland.

[79ram]

I'm going with the Raceland Rams on this one!

[Breds82]

Last year it seemed Raceland went away from the run game at inopportune times, and a little to aggressive on offense  when the defense was playing well. Is that approach to be expected again on Friday? Good luck both teams.

[DevilMayCare]

This is Raceland's best shot at a title. Pikeville's behind them, Beechwood moved up in weight, and Sayre's supermen are playing Division I college ball.

KCD was impressive last night and are definitely capable of extending Raceland's anguish, but I think the Rams get the proverbial monkey off their back this year if they play a clean game. Gameday prep is old hat at this point. They just need to execute and play to their strengths, offensively.